ConcoursMustang Forums

1st Generation 1964 1/2 - 1973 - Questions & general discussions that apply to a specific year => 1968 Mustang => Topic started by: bullitt68 on February 26, 2024, 01:39:38 AM

Title: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 26, 2024, 01:39:38 AM
Looking for some guidance and confirmation regarding these Lower Radiator Support Brackets.

First question: Were the bolts painted with the brackets or installed after paint? ASM indicates "S" finish, so no finish on the bolts, which would lead me to believe the bolts painted with brackets, but just want to double check.

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003204-201522418.jpeg)

Second Question: Were the brackets installed on the chasis before or after paint?

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003203-201501466.jpeg)

Third Question:

Do these look like original brackets and do they look bent, or is this how they should look?

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003203-201482335.jpeg)


(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003203-201481325.jpeg)

Question Four:

Which bolt head pattern is correct. I am going to assume the fasteners that are on the right, that were on the car. The ones on the left are from the AMK Concourse Correct kit.

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003202-20142665.jpeg)

Question Five:

Is this a correct Radiator Petcock for my manual trans

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003201-201402398.jpeg)

Just a note regarding the rubber insulators. This product does not fit and cannot be used.

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003203-201462110.jpeg)


(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003202-201441987.jpeg)

These insulators fit correctly

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003202-20144481.jpeg)

Thanks



Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: ruppstang on February 26, 2024, 09:25:36 AM
Yes, they appear to be bent. I have had no issues with the SD lower insulators. It maybe because your brackets are bent.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: Coralsnake on February 26, 2024, 10:27:26 AM
Brackets installed after body was painted. Bolts are not painted
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: Bob Gaines on February 26, 2024, 11:15:46 AM
Just for clarification the brackets are typically semi gloss black and the bolts unpainted.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: Bob Gaines on February 26, 2024, 11:16:48 AM
Once mounted I trust your intuition will guide you on what is bent and what is not.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: J_Speegle on February 26, 2024, 04:00:13 PM
Just picking a few from todays long list


Question Five:

Is this a correct Radiator Petcock for my manual trans



Peacock for all (auto and manual) radiators are the same



Just a note regarding the rubber insulators. This product does not fit and cannot be used.


If you can find better insulators for the bottom brackets or nice originals you could always cut and remove a section of the insulator along the bottom (as one end would likely not show) and use a little adhesive to attach the two sections to the bracket. Don't use enough adhesive so that it shows when done


But it appears that you found a better replacement and by posting hopefully saved someone else from purchase the poorly made or labeled  ones
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: J_Speegle on February 26, 2024, 04:34:34 PM
Maybe these will help

From the same late San Jose car like yours

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-260224153250-201552126.jpeg)

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-260224153252-20156489.jpeg)

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-260224153249-2015469.jpeg)
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 12:15:26 AM
Brackets installed after body was painted. Bolts are not painted

Great thanks appreciate it
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 12:19:08 AM
Just for clarification the brackets are typically semi gloss black and the bolts unpainted.

Thanks Bob
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 12:21:15 AM
Just picking a few from todays long list
 


Peacock for all (auto and manual) radiators are the same




If you can find better insulators for the bottom brackets or nice originals you could always cut and remove a section of the insulator along the bottom (as one end would likely not show) and use a little adhesive to attach the two sections to the bracket. Don't use enough adhesive so that it shows when done


But it appears that you found a better replacement and by posting hopefully saved someone else from purchase the poorly made or labeled  ones

Thanks Jeff. Further to the rad question, does that mean that manual trans rads have plugs for the cooler lines or are there no holes/fittings on the 4 speed trans rad?
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 12:23:33 AM
Yes, they appear to be bent. I have had no issues with the SD lower insulators. It maybe because your brackets are bent.

Don't think so. The rubber insulators are larger than the brackets, unless my brackets are replacements. But these are way off compared to the other part number that fits perfectly

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003203-20146777.jpeg)
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: ruppstang on February 27, 2024, 12:45:01 AM
Don't think so. The rubber insulators are larger than the brackets, unless my brackets are replacements. But these are way off compared to the other part number that fits perfectly

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-260224003203-20146777.jpeg)
I wonder if they were packaged incorrectly. Compare them to the upper insulators you have.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 12:48:57 AM
I wonder if they were packaged incorrectly. Compare them to the upper insulators you have.

Upper insulators are completely different looking, but fit great. There are several different parts numbers, upper and lower etc. Perhaps they were miss labeled, but I am also not sure what the correct ones should look like as I have not seen a photo of originals to compare
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 02:44:19 AM
Thanks for all the great suggestions and photos. After much banging, bending and shaping I think I am getting pretty close to a good fit. Will do the final tweaks and then clean the up and paint them. FYI for some reason not only were they completely bent like a pretzel, but they were also welded on. I didn't notice this before the chassis was painted, neither did my painter unfortunately. But I am glad that I did, so I can correct it. However I need to do some small paint touch ups from where I removed the welds. So needless to say the brackets also need to have the welds removed and cleaned up.

I was not aware how bent the brackets were, but they were so bent I could barely get a wrench in to remove the bolts. Here is one I was working on compared to the bent one on the left.

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224013036-201771339.jpeg)

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224013036-20175814.jpeg)

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224013036-20174663.jpeg)

Drivers side starting to fit much better

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224013035-20169930.jpeg)

Passenger side only took about 5 minutes to reshape after figuring it out on the drivers side

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224013034-20162922.jpeg)

I will once again test fit the rad with the rubber insulators etc before I clan the up and paint them. Hopefully the weld areas will touch up ok. attaching the paint will be a bit of an issue, but fortunately it is not a very visible area.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: ruppstang on February 27, 2024, 09:26:06 AM
I know that you said you got new hardware from AMK but the bolts I have seen do not have the large washer. Like the ones in Jeff's pictures. Maybe it is a plant thing.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: J_Speegle on February 27, 2024, 01:56:32 PM
I know that you said you got new hardware from AMK but the bolts I have seen do not have the large washer. Like the ones in Jeff's pictures. Maybe it is a plant thing.

+1 Think what you found was likely from a prior repair or remove and reattached
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 04:26:26 PM
I know that you said you got new hardware from AMK but the bolts I have seen do not have the large washer. Like the ones in Jeff's pictures. Maybe it is a plant thing.

Hard to tell in the photos Jeff posted, but the head marking look like the AMK bolts, except it appears that they also have the large washer
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: J_Speegle on February 27, 2024, 05:47:25 PM
Hard to tell in the photos Jeff posted, but the head marking look like the AMK bolts, except it appears that they also have the large washer


The two (the fender bolt and the one from the unrestored San Jose example are very different

Fender washer has a separate though captured washer that is larger than the original bolt shown. The bolt from the San Jose car has a flared base but no washer and the head design appears to be the RBW one

Notice the comparison of diameters in the pictures below

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-270224164442-201781392.jpeg)
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: RoyceP on February 27, 2024, 06:58:10 PM
The bolts in the AMK kit are not fender bolts. They are shorter bolts that have washers similar to the fender bolts. They are typical of Dearborn, not so much for San Jose manufacture.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 07:16:40 PM
The bolts in the AMK kit are not fender bolts. They are shorter bolts that have washers similar to the fender bolts. They are typical of Dearborn, not so much for San Jose manufacture.

Good point. I will have to see if I can find some bolts like that.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 27, 2024, 07:17:26 PM

The two (the fender bolt and the one from the unrestored San Jose example are very different

Fender washer has a separate though captured washer that is larger than the original bolt shown. The bolt from the San Jose car has a flared base but no washer and the head design appears to be the RBW one

Notice the comparison of diameters in the pictures below

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/6-270224164442-201781392.jpeg)

Thanks Jeff those are great reference photos
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 28, 2024, 12:43:07 AM
Would these bolts be a better option compared to the other examples I posted

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224234118-201801737.jpeg)(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224234428-201812098.jpeg)
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: jwc66k on February 28, 2024, 12:45:14 PM
Would these bolts be a better option compared to the other examples I posted

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224234118-201801737.jpeg)(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-270224234428-201812098.jpeg)
Possibly not. Those are Grade 5, the "Y" marking on the head. Previous shown bolts were Grade 5.1, the "T" marking (it's actually and inverted "T").
Jim
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: RoyceP on February 28, 2024, 02:38:35 PM
Those seem to both be marked "T".
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: ruppstang on February 28, 2024, 02:59:43 PM
These are what I have use from AMK in the past. You cannot see it in the picture but there is an anchor on the head.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: jwc66k on February 28, 2024, 03:42:24 PM
Those seem to both be marked "T".
Those "T" (there are two) is/are manufacturers logo's. Each, including the "C', are in a "Y" pattern. I strongly recommend you review bolt head markings. Try the library.
Jim
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 28, 2024, 04:10:24 PM
The bolts in the AMK kit are not fender bolts. They are shorter bolts that have washers similar to the fender bolts. They are typical of Dearborn, not so much for San Jose manufacture.

Do you have a photo of the right bolts?
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 28, 2024, 04:14:14 PM
These are what I have use from AMK in the past. You cannot see it in the picture but there is an anchor on the head.

Well I have anchor head bolts. I will check my AMK catalogue
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 28, 2024, 04:42:33 PM
Those "T" (there are two) is/are manufacturers logo's. Each, including the "C', are in a "Y" pattern. I strongly recommend you review bolt head markings. Try the library.
Jim

I tried cross referencing all of my AMK catalogs and the Assembly Manual etc and have not been able to find a match. I just need to know what the correct head markings are so I can try to source them as they do not soon to be available in the aftermarket
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: jwc66k on February 28, 2024, 06:41:52 PM
I tried cross referencing all of my AMK catalogs and the Assembly Manual etc and have not been able to find a match. I just need to know what the correct head markings are so I can try to source them as they do not soon to be available in the aftermarket
Do you have a Ford hardware part number? I recommend that you get into the habit of using a part number. It makes the search by others easier. See attached.
Jim
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 28, 2024, 06:46:59 PM
Do you have a Ford hardware part number? I recommend that you get into the habit of using a part number. It makes the search by others easier. See attached.
Jim


Yes that is what I used. No luck. Could not find it in any of my 3 AMK catalogs
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: ruppstang on February 29, 2024, 08:52:10 AM
Yes that is what I used. No luck. Could not find it in any of my 3 AMK catalogs

Was the number I gave you not available?
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 29, 2024, 03:36:47 PM
Was the number I gave you not available?

Looks like I missed the number, but I've got it now. FYI the bolt you posted looks shorter than the one in Jeff's photo
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: jwc66k on February 29, 2024, 08:07:02 PM
Was the number I gave you not available?
I tried cross referencing all of my AMK catalogs and the Assembly Manual etc and have not been able to find a match. I just need to know what the correct head markings are so I can try to source them as they do not soon to be available in the aftermarket
Yes that is what I used. No luck. Could not find it in any of my 3 AMK catalogs
I scanned this thread and NOT ONE OF YOU HAS REFERENCED A FORD HARDWARE PART NUMBER. Do you have "partnumberberphobia"? That
malady can be cured by determining the Ford hardware part number (It took me all of 30 seconds to determine what it was).
One of the goals of this forum is to educate its members. So far, you've not got a passing grade.
Jim
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on February 29, 2024, 08:57:00 PM
I scanned this thread and NOT ONE OF YOU HAS REFERENCED A FORD HARDWARE PART NUMBER. Do you have "partnumberberphobia"? That
malady can be cured by determining the Ford hardware part number (It took me all of 30 seconds to determine what it was).
One of the goals of this forum is to educate its members. So far, you've not got a passing grade.
Jim


Thanks for your great teaching skills Jim. Sorry but it took me a while, as in a few years, but I think finally figured it out. Hopefully this explanation will help others. It sure would have helped me, or those of us that need things spelled out!

In the back of the AMK Bulk Fasteners Catalog, there is a Part Number reference spread sheet listed in order of the part numbers. First You find the part number in question in the Assembly Manual and then cross reference it with the spread sheet in the Bulk fasteners catalog, and it will give you the page number. The lower rad bracket bolt is listed as part number 40923 in the ASM.

Then just go to the page number. FYI it does not always say what the fastener is or manufacturer, but it will show the fastener that AMK has matched to the original part number.

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-290224194349-201862117.jpeg)

On page 109 there are 2 bolts shown, so not sure which one is correct

This is the one referenced by Ruppstang


(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-290224194348-20182976.jpeg)

This is the other one on the same page, which is what Jeff referenced, so perhaps both are correct?

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-290224194349-201842381.jpeg)

However this one looks more like the one in Jeff's photo, as the bolt looks longer

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-290224194348-201821973.jpeg)

I think that it is safe to assume that assembly line workers would or could use any fastener that fit the application based on inventory and availability.

Hopefully I am one step closer to solving the case. FYI I searched extensively and could not find any posts regarding the lower rad brackets bolts, so perhaps this is uncharted territory, but if it helps anyone else in the process it was worth the effort. I know it has helped me. My current work flow ratio = 90% research - 10% wrenching! Which might explain why this project is taking 10 times longer that it should lol
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: J_Speegle on February 29, 2024, 10:39:11 PM
I think that it is safe to assume that assembly line workers would or could use any fastener that fit the application based on inventory and availability.

Workers didn't get to choose what hardware that was delivered to their station and it was not normal to just use anything that would work according to workers and plant managers. Of course there were times but those were rare and not typical



Hopefully I am one step closer to solving the case. FYI I searched extensively and could not find any posts regarding the lower rad brackets bolts, so perhaps this is uncharted territory, but if it helps anyone else in the process it was worth the effort. I know it has helped me. My current work flow ratio = 90% research - 10% wrenching! Which might explain why this project is taking 10 times longer that it should lol[/size]

Up side is that with good research you hopefully get things right he first time and you don't have to redo things more than once  ;)
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on March 01, 2024, 04:33:54 AM
Workers didn't get to choose what hardware that was delivered to their station and it was not normal to just use anything that would work according to workers and plant managers. Of course there were times but those were rare and not typical



Up side is that with good research you hopefully get things right he first time and you don't have to redo things more than once  ;)

Yes would be nice to start only doing things one time lol


So would say that the RBW bolts are the correct ones for my car?
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: RoyceP on March 01, 2024, 11:50:53 AM
So would say that the RBW bolts are the correct ones for my car?


Those are the six bolts that mount the block plates to the block. They are way too big at 3/8" - 18 TPI. The lower radiator brackets are 5/16"-18 TPI. The bolts in the AMK kit are closer P/N B-12565.
[/size]
(https://www.amkproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/VV2.png)
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: J_Speegle on March 01, 2024, 01:37:12 PM
So would say that the RBW bolts are the correct ones for my car?

Given that is the best information we have at the moment and a great original example of another late 68 San Jose car I would feel comfortable at this point going that direction

Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: RoyceP on March 01, 2024, 03:07:16 PM
Given that is the best information we have at the moment and a great original example of another late 68 San Jose car I would feel comfortable at this point going that direction


Jeff do you have a different part number in mind? The ones he referenced are P/N 375116-S, those won't fit or work.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: jwc66k on March 01, 2024, 03:14:50 PM
This is the one referenced by Ruppstang[/size][/font]

(https://www.concoursmustang.com/forum/gallery/20/4775-290224194348-20182976.jpeg)

The screw (conventional wisdom calls it a screw) is shown in the "1968 Mustang Body Assembly Manual" (AM0021) pg 13 (N8-8105-4) as Ford Hardware part number 40923-S (no finish code shown). For 1969 it  is also shown as -S (no finish code) but for 1970 it is shown as being a "-S2" (phosphate and oil).
I think that it is safe to assume that assembly line workers would or could use any fastener that fit the application based on inventory and availability.
Workers did not have that prerogative. Everything was done per engineering and assembly line documentation. Variations, like parts substitutions, needed to have approval of the assembly engineer. There are exceptions of course. Unfortunately these substitutions were not always formally documented. 
Here's what you are faced with: the 1968 Body manual showing 40923-S, or pictures that have no referenced part number. Your call.
Jim
Jim
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: bullitt68 on March 01, 2024, 09:23:43 PM

Jeff do you have a different part number in mind? The ones he referenced are P/N 375116-S, those won't fit or work.

It would appear that the only ones that would fit are the B-12565. So while it may not have the correct heard marking it does fit.
Title: Re: 68 San Jose GT 390 Lower Radiator Support Brackets
Post by: ruppstang on March 02, 2024, 09:32:05 AM
It would appear that the only ones that would fit are the B-12565. So while it may not have the correct heard marking it does fit.

Exactly, the ones that I told you would work. I searched the Ford number and the AMK cross reference as you did.